On July 30, 2013, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) proposed the NPDES Electronic Reporting Rule that would require electronic reporting instead of current paper-based NPDES reports. This action would modernize NPDES reporting, save time and resources for regulated entities and regulatory agencies, better protect the Nation's waters by improving compliance, and provide the public with access to information that affects their communities. The proposal would enhance transparency and accountability by providing regulatory agencies and the public with more timely, complete, accurate, and nationally-consistent data about the NPDES program and potential sources of water pollution. The benefits of this proposed rulemaking should allow NPDES-authorized programs in states, tribes, and territories to shift precious resources from data management activities to solving issues that threaten human health, water quality, and noncompliance issues. As a result of comments received on the proposed rule, we are soliciting further comments by opening a new public comment period.

2014-11-13; vol. 79 # 219 - Thursday, November 13, 2014

79 FR 67409 - Propose and Modify NPDES General Permits for Facilities That Generate, Treat, and/or Use/Dispose of Sewage Sludge by Land Application, Landfill and Surface Disposal in the EPA Region 8

Notice of proposed and final modification of the expiration date of the eleven (11) NPDES general permits for Sewage Sludge.

This comment period closes on December 15, 2014. Comments may be directed to: Bob Brobst (8P-W-WW), EPA Region 8, 1595 Wynkoop Street, Denver, Colorado 80202-1129. All comments received prior to the end of the comment period will be considered in the formulation of the final permit decision. After considering these comments, the EPA will issue the final permit decision together with written responses to any significant comments, in accordance with 40 CFR 124.15. If no comments are received, the modification of the 11 permits will be effective immediately upon issuance of the final permit decision.

40 CFR Part 503

Summary

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is giving notice of modification of the expiration date of the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) general permits for facilities or operations that generate, treat, and/or use/dispose of sewage sludge by means of land application, landfill and surface disposal in the states of Colorado, Montana, North Dakota, and Wyoming and in Indian country in the states of Colorado, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, Wyoming and Utah (except for the Goshute Indian Reservation and the Navajo Indian Reservation) from May 12, 2018, to January 15, 2015. The EPA will regulate sewage sludge (biosolids) through the direct enforceability provision of the regulation.